Chardonnay, Maté’s Vineyard, Kumeu – 2008
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Introduction
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In 1990, Maté Brajkovich reworked the land at Kumeu River and planted a new vineyard of Chardonnay on the site of the family’s original vineyard, purchased in 1944. The first harvest from these new vines was in March 1993, the year following Maté’s death. The six-acre vineyard was named Maté’s Vineyard in his honor, and the resulting single-vineyard wine was first released in November 1994 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Brajkovich family’s arrival in Kumeu. This is Kumeu River’s (and arguably, New Zealand’s) finest Chardonnay, limited in production, Burgundian in style, elegant and long-lived.
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Vineyard Profile
- Appellation: Kumeu
- Location: Kumeu, Auckland, North Island
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Vintage Report
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The 2008 vintage came at the end of a wonderful summer and produced peachy and luscious Chardonnays.
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Vinification
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Whole-bunch pressed
- Fermentation: Indigenous yeast fermentation
- Malolactic: 100% malolactic fermentation
- Barrel Fermentation: 100% barrel fermentation
- Barrel Aging: 12 months in French oak
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
- Production Case Pack: 12/750ml
- Cases Imported: 300
- Imported Case Pack: 12/750ml
- Alcohol: 13.5%
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Tasting Notes
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The vines of Mate’s Vineyard are maturing nicely at 19 years old, and this is the only remaining vineyard we have planted with the Mendoza clone. The vine age and the distinctive characteristics of this clone help give Mate’s Vineyard its unique character. This vineyard has always displayed a lifted fruit aroma reminiscent of ripe pears, but with a mineral edge. The palate is always long and concentrated. The 2008 vintage has given a wine that is even more complex and concentrated, with great tautness and length on the palate. This will evolve beautifully over the next six to eight years and beyond.
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Images
Reviews
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Chardonnay, Maté’s Vineyard, Kumeu – 2008 – 90 points – Wine Spectator
“A zingy wine, with plenty of green apple, Bartlett pear and lemon-lime flavors that are bright and refreshing, with a crisp acidity surging through. Shows accents of fresh thyme and mineral on the finish.”
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Chardonnay, Maté’s Vineyard, Kumeu – 2008 – 92 points – Wine Enthusiast
"The 2008 Maté’s shows more lushness than typical for the vineyard, but retains its hallmark lime-like acidity...creamy, lush mouthfeel and plenty of roasted-nut complexity wrapped around melony fruit. Finishes with lingering oak spice and citrus."